Function of safety devices and correct method of use

Child Car Seat

Use child car seat to protect children from injury in the case of a car accident

In the case of fatal accidents involving infants and toddlers in passenger cars, the fatality rate is four times higher for accidents in which no child car seat was in use than for accidents in which a child car seat was used. Be sure to use a child car seat when young children ride in a vehicle. Furthermore, it should be noted that it has been mandatory since April 1, 2000 to use a child car seat for children younger than six years of age.

Types of child car seat

○ For infants

For use by:
Infants who weigh less than 10 or 13kg (up to 70 cm in height, newborns to one-year-olds)
・ Because an infant cannot adequately support his or her neck, this type of seat places the infant in a reclining position.
・ There are two types: the "seat type" which faces rearwards and the "bed type" which faces to the side.

○ For toddlers

For use by:
Toddlers who weigh 9 to 18 kg ( 65 to 100 cm in height, age 1 to 4 years old)
・ This seat can be used when the child can support his or her neck and has learned to sit on his or her own.
・ After the child has graduated from the infant seat, he or she can now use a "forward-facing" seat.

○ For school-age children

For use by:
Children who weigh 15 to 36 kg (up to 135 cm in height, age 4 to 10 years old)
・ This type increases the height of the seated position by supplementing the seat and adjusts the position of the seatbelt to match the position of the child's waist. This enables the child to use adult seatbelts effectively.

Child car seat installation

Vehicle adaptability
Not all child car seat can be installed in any vehicle.
It is important to select a child seat that is compatible with your vehicle, making reference to the chart listing adaptability by car model released by the child car seat manufacturer.

Method of installation
The method of installation varies from model to model, and it is thus important to follow the instructions in the owner's manual provided with the car seat. Also installation method can vary by seatbelts equipped with the car, therefore care should be taken.

■ Seats equipped with the ISOFIX standardized vehicle anchorage system

ISOFIX child car seat installation tools are placed inside the seat. They are used with car models designated as ISOFIX child car seat compatible. Also, in October of 2006, standards for child car seats were revised and the common ISOFIX child car seat was recognized over a combination with the tether strap, so it is necessary for automobiles to conform to the generic ISOFIX child car seat.

●Points of caution when installing child car seat●

1.Install product in rear seats of vehicle
For safety reasons, child car seat should always be installed in the vehicle's rear seats.
Installing rearward-facing child seats in front passenger seats that are fitted with an air bag is extremely dangerous and should be avoided at all times.

2.Firmly secure child car seat
It is important to secure the child car seat firmly, following the instructions in the owner's manual.
Forward-facing child car seat should be secured such that the seat does not move appreciably (more than 3 cm) when forward pressure is applied on the seat's upper segment.
In vehicles fitted with seatbelts featuring a child car seat restraining function (generally in the vehicle's left and right rear seats), the seatbelt should be fully withdrawn after the seat has been installed, activating the ALR device.

3.Risk of burns when seating the child
During hot weather, the child car seat's body, buckle, metal areas of belt, etc. can become extremely hot while a vehicle is parked, leading to the risk of burns.
When seating the child, the parent should first touch each of the areas to ensure they will not burn the child.